UFC 108's PPV Buy Rate (Update)

UFC 108 was awesome. UFC 108's buy rate, not so much.

Dave Meltzer reports that the early returns on UFC 108 were disappointing but expected:

Current trending patterns for UFC 108 are at this point looking like 255,000 to 270,000 buys, which if those numbers end up accurate, would be the lowest for a North American show in several years. But most figured that would be the case given all the injuries changing the lineup and it was a patched up show. Just like it wasn’t wise to overreact to 107, which did so well, same here, because with all the injuries, it was a show that wasn’t going to do well and it was just a question as to where the actual bottom base is right now.

So much for Dana White's implied statement that the UFC's minimum buy rate is 500,000.

Really this news isn't shocking and will probably be dismissed as anomaly due to the unprecedented amount of injuries rather than a trend even though the UFC's last two Vegas offerings have had disappointing results. 

The last time a UFC pay-per view event did under 300,000 buys was UFC 85, which was another injury riddled card.

UFC 108 also only sold two-thirds of available tickets. 

Update: Meltzer followed up with slightly improved, but nonetheless disappointing pay-per view numbers for UFC 108; pegging the show around 300,000 buys.